Population Health Trust Advisory Committee

Maternal and Child Health

Did you know? 25% of young children (under 5) in Skagit County live at 100% or below the poverty level In 2015, 24% of women who gave birth in Skagit County did not receive prenatal care in the first trimester The number of children and pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women are eligible for WIC but are NOT enrolled increased from 29% (2013) to 40% (2017). 5.7% of Kindergarteners in Skagit County are not ready in any area of development (compared to  the state average of 5.3%) 41% of 2015 births in Skagit County were to single mothers

The Population Health Trust identified 10 community health priorities in the 2015 Community Needs Assessment.  The Trust addressed the Opioid health problem first by forming the Opioid Workgroup Leadership Team (OWLT) which wrote a plan that community partners are tackling.

The second priority is Maternal and Child Health (MCH) or what we are calling the “First 1000 Days.”  Why did we select this?  If you want to improve health over a life course, you need to get the best possible start in life.  Brain science has proven that the first thousand days of life (from conception to age two) set the foundation for intellectual development and life- long health.

For example:

• Prenatal care (medical care) received by pregnant women before and during pregnancy, is associated with positive birth outcomes.
• The quality of life of a teen starts in the early days of life.  In fact, evidence indicates that improvements in the 1000 days of a woman/child’s life have significant impacts on health outcomes.  A healthier childhood means fewer problems later like; mental health problems, trauma, substance abuse, and obesity.
• A healthier start means better social skills, graduation rates, employability, and improved chances of a successful life.
• A well-connected system results in better care for families and babies.
• Focusing on early childhood provides an opportunity to impact two generations simultaneously, parents and children.
• The State of Washington is investing in MCH by launching the “Frontiers of Innovation” and Skagit County was chosen as the first county collaborator.
• The Accountable Communities of Health have a MCH focus and this creates alignment.
• Skagit County has significant partners at the ready to collaborate on this issue.

The Population Health Trust in collaboration with the Children’s Council of Skagit County is starting the “First 1000 Days” workgroup that will be meeting from January 23, 2018 throughout the spring to determine what can be done to improve kids’ start in life and come up with an action plan.

The “First 1000 Days” will also feature a Family Advisory Committee that will meet regularly to advise the workgroup and assure the plan matches what families need.

There will be lots more to come, if you would like to sign up to receive updates click here.

If you would like to reach the “First 1000 Days” lead staff, contact  Kristen Ekstran at 360-416-1524 or kekstran@co.skagit.wa.us